ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Residents of St. John's and several nearby towns in Newfoundland and Labrador have been asked to limit their water use today.

The City of St. John's issued a news release saying that Mount Pearl, Conception Bay South, Paradise and Portugal Cove-St. Phillips have been effected by an "incident" at Bay Bulls Big Pond Water Treatment Plant.

The release says the plant is unable to produce water.

The city requested in the announcement that residents limit water use to "an emergency basis only."

An employee of a contractor at the plant was injured during the incident and has been transported to hospital.

The city says the incident is still under investigation and the city is unable to advise when water production will resume.